Guide rail for shaping machine worktables



APril 1930., w. F. ZIMMERMANN 1,753,142

GUIDE RAIL FOR SHAPING MACHINE WORK TABLES Filed Jan. 9, 1925 '2Sheets-Sheet l Patented Apr. 1, 1930 EJNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICEWILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN, OF MAPLEWOOD, JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GOULD &EBERHARDT, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY GUIDE RAILFOR SHAPING MACHINE WORKTABLES Application filed January 9, 1925.

My invention relates to guide rails for shaping machines andparticularly to guide rails wherein one rigidly mounted guide plate isprovided for guiding the associated work table.

One object of my invention is to provide improved means for so mountingand securing the work table of a shaper to the cross rail thereof as toinsure against any bending or bowing of the cross rail or any partthereof under heavy cuts by the tool carried on the reciprocating ram.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cross rail for supportinga work table on a shaper with a bearing and a guiding plate, the worktable engaging guiding surfaces at the rear and at the bottom of theguide plate so that one securely and rigidly mounted plate serves forguiding the work table.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cross rail on a shapingmachine with a guide plate that shall have guiding surfaces at the lowerpartand at the rear part thereof, the rear guiding surface beinginclined towards the lower front part of the rail and the guidingsurface at the lower part of the plate being inclined towards the upperrear part of the cross rail so that the weight of the work table restingon the crossrail will serve to tighten and hold the table more securelyin position.

In a shaping machine, it is desirable and very essential to hold thework firmly and rigidly in position so that no giving or movement of thework will take place when heavy cuts are being effected. Trouble in thisrespect is often incurred by the reason of the bowing or the bending ofthe cross rail which is mounted on the main frame of the shaper andwhich carries the work table. Such bending of the cross rail is ofteneffected by havingthe guiding surfaces for the work table too widelyseparated and by not providing a sufficiently rigid support for theguiding surfaces.

In a shaping machine provided with a guide rail constructed inaccordance with my invention, the guiding surfaces for the movement ofthe work table along the cross rail Serial No. 1,384.

are positioned relatively close together and the bearing surface for thework table on the cross rail is positioned to insure rigid mounting ofthe table. The guide surfaces for the work table are so inclined as toinsure tightening and more secure fastening of the table to the crossrail when heavy cuts are taken by the tool mounted on the reciprocatingram.

In a cross rail mechanism, constructed in accordance with my invention,the reducing of the distance between the two, guiding surfaces for thework table is effected by forming such guiding surfaces at the top andat the bottom of a single guiding plate. Such guiding plate ispreferably provided with a rectangular projection from the upper partthereof and the projection is engaged by a hook portion on the worktable. The lower guiding surface is engaged by a projection from theWork table. It is apparent that a single guide plate can be very rigidlymounted on the cross rail so as to insure against any bowing or bendingtendency which will loosen the connection of the work table to the crossrail. The guiding surfaces for the work table are so positioned orinclined as to more. securely fasten the table to the cross rail whenthe heavier cuts are being taken by the tool.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the followingdescription and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection withthe annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlyingfeatures hereof that they may embody the same in the various wayscontemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typicalconstruction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in suchdrawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding partsthroughout all the views, of which In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1is a front elevational view of a shaper having a guide rail constructedin accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view partially insection of the gib at the lower part of the guide plate. Fig. 3 is asectional view along the line 00-00 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end view ofthe shaper shown in Fig. 1. Figs. and 6 are sectional views illustratingthe means for adjusting the gib located at the rear of the guide plate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a shaper 1 is provided with amain frame 2 and a reciprocating ram 3. The ram 3 is reciprocated on themain frame 2 in any suitable manner and carries a tool head 4. The toolhead 4 comprises a clapper-box 5 which carries a cutting tool 6. Thestroke of the ram 3 is varied in any suitable and conventional mannerand the position of the ram is controlled by means of a ram adjustingshaft 7 A cross rail 8, which is mounted on the main frame 2, is raisedand lowered by means of a screw shaft 9. The screw shaft 9, which isoperated by means of a shaft 10 having a squared end, is adapted to beoperated by a suitable crank handle. The cross rail 8 is providedwith aguide plate 11 and a bear: ing plate 12. The guide plate 11 is providedwith a rectangular projection 13 which has a flat surface 14 formed onthe rear thereof. The lower surface 15 of the guide plate 11 is inclinedso as to make an acute angle with the front surface 16 of the plate.Such surface '15, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is inclinedtowards the upper rear portion of the rail. The bearing plate 12 isprovided with a single bearing surface 17. The guide plate 11 and thebearing plate 12 are preferably formed as an integral part of the bodyportion of the cross rail. Between the guide plate 11 and the hearingplate 12 is mounted a screw shaft 18 for effecting movement of a worktable 19 across the cross rail. The screw shaft 18 is provided with asquared end portion 20 which may be operated by a crankhandle. Althoughthe screw shaft 18 may be operated manually for effecting movement ofthe work table 19 across the cross rail, suitable mechanism comprising across feed shaft 22 and a cross feed head 22 'are provided for effectingautomatic movement of the table. The cross rail 8 is operated onsuitable guides 23 formed on the main frame2 and is clamped to the mainframe in any suitable manner.

The work table 19 preferably comprises a work supporting portion 24. anda base portion 25 which is secured to the cross rail 8. Suitable T-slots26 are formed on the sides and the top of the work-supporting portion 24for securing the work or any suitable work holding vise to the table.T-slots 27 are formed in the base 25, as best shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawing. Such T-slots 27 serve not only as a means for connecting theworksupporting member to the base 25 but also serves as a means forsupporting the work if it is desirable or convenient to dispense withthe work-supporting portion 24.

A hook portion 28 is formed on the base 25 for engaging the guide rail11, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. One surface of the hook portion28 rests 011 the top of the guide rail 11 and another inclined surface29 of the hook portion engages a gib member 30. The gib member 30 ismounted in position between the fiat surface Men the rear of the guideplate 11 and the inclined surface 29 on the hook 28. It should be notedthe gib 30 is wider at the top than at the bottom thereof, as shown inFigs. 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings. It should also be noted the inclinedsurface 29 on the hook 28 and the inclined surface on the gib project ina direction towards the lower front part of the cross rail. By sodirecting the inclined surfaces for guiding the table on the cross rail,it is apparent the pressure produced by a heavy cut does not tend toloosen the connection of the table to the cross rail but on the otherhand tends to tighten and more securely hold the cross rail in position.Accordingly, the outer end of the table does not tend to lower or beforced down under extremely heavy cuts.

A projection 32 from the base 25 is provided with a surface 33 which isinclined in the same direction as the surface 15 which is formed on thebottom of the guide rail 11. A suitable gib 34 of the customary wedgetype is positioned between the surface 15 on the guide plate and thesurface 33 on the table. An adjusting screw 35, which is shown inFigs.1,'2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, is pro vided for varying theposition of the gib 34:. The adjusting screw 35 is provided with ashoulder 36 which is fitted to a slot 37 in the gib for effectingmovement of the gib in accordance with the movement of the screw. Anut38, which is threadably connected to the screw 35 serves to lock thescrew and also the gib in any set position.

The position of the gib 30 is controlled by two holding screws 39 andtwo stop or limiting screws 40. The limiting or stop screws 40 arethreadably connected to the hook portion 28 of the work table and engagethe top surface of the gib 30, as best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.The'holding screws 39 are rotatablymounted in the hook 28 and arethreadably connected to the gib 30. The screws 40 are operated forlimiting the position of the gib and the screws 39 are operated forholding the gib firmly in engagement with holding screws 40.

In a cross rail constructed in accordance with my invention it will benoted that the guiding surfaces for the work table are locatedrespectively near the top and the bottom of one guide plate.Consequently such guiding surfaces are maintained in correct relation toeach other to maintain a rigid and steady support for the table on thecross rail. In many constructions heretofore proposed the guidingsurfaces have been located on different guide plates. Such aconstruction,

however, has been found faulty under many operating conditions inasmuchas the guiding surfaces are somewhat widely separated and the topguiding plate tends to bow out in a horizontal plane under extremelyheavy cutting operations. The bowing out of the top guide plates tendstoloosen the connection of the table to the cross rail. As pointed outabove the inclining of the surface of engagement between the gib andhook 29 in a direction shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing serves to clampthe table securely to the cross rail when heavy cutting operations arebeing effected. When pressure is placed upon the work table the hook 28is merely held more firmly and tighter to the gib 30 and the guideplate. The bearing surface 17 on the bearing plate 12 serves to takecare of the downward pressure and to act as a fulcrum to assist inholding the gib 30.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthis invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readilyadapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of thefeatures that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects ofthis invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and areintended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalencyof the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I.

claim as new and desire to secure the follow- 1 ing combinations andelements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates 1. In a shaper having a reciprocating tool carrying ram, thecombination comprising a cross rail having at its upper portion a singlesolid guide plate, said plate providing a'rectangular portion projectingfrom the upper part thereof and a lower guide surface inclined upwardlyand rearwardly relative to the front face thereof; a work table mountedon the cross rail, said work table being guided at the top and bottompart of said guide plate; and a feed mechanism for shifting said tablealong said rail, said feed mechanism being located wholly at one side ofsaid single solid guide plate.

2. In a shaping machine, the combination comprising a cross-rail havingat its upper portion a single solid guide plate providing adjacent itsupper edge a substantially rectangular table supporting portion, and atits lower edge a table guide surface inclined upwardly and rearwardlyrelative to the front face thereof, said cross-rail also providing, atits lower portion, a vertical bearing plate; a work-table mounted onsaid cross-rail and having portions engaging respectively, saidrectangular portion and said inclined guide surface to support theweight of said table and to prevent upward and outward movement of theupper portion thereof, said table also having a thrust engagement withsaid vertical hearing plate to prevent inward movement of the lowerportion ofsaid table; and feed mechanism for shifting said table alongsaid crossrail, said feed mechanism being located wholly at one side ofsaid single solid guide plate.

3. In a shaping machin'e,the combination comprising a cross-rail havingat its upper portion a single solid guide plate providing adjacent itsupper'edge a substantially rectangular table supporting portionaffording atits top a horizontaltable supporting surface and at its reara substantially vertical bearing surface, said guide plate also beingprovided at its lower edge with an upwardly and rearwardly inclinedguide surface; a work-table supported upon said cross-rail and having ahook-portion extending over and downwardly behind the rectangularportion of said guide plate, said hook-portion being supported againstdownward and outward movement by said table supporting surface and saidvertical bearing surface, said table also having a portion extendingbelow and behind and cooperating with said upwardly and rearwardlyinclined guide surface to, prevent outward and upward movement of saidtable; a gib located between the rear vertical bearing surface of saidrectangular portion and the hook-portion of said table; a second giblocated between said upwardly and rearwardly inclined bearingsurface'and the cooperating portion of saidtable; and feed mechanism for saidtable located wholly at one side of said single solid guideplate.

4. In a shaping machine the combination comprising a cross-rail havingat its upper portion a single solid guide plate, said plate providing arectangular portion projecting from the upper part thereof and a lowerguide surface inclined upwardly and rearwardly relative to the frontface thereof, said .,110 cross-rail also providing, at its lowerportion,

a vertical bearing plate; a work-table mounted on said cross-rail andhaving a hook-portion extending over and downwardly behind therectangular portion of said guide plate and a portion extending upwardlybehind and cooperating with said inclined bearing surface, said tablealso having a portion hearing against the vertical bearing plateprovided by said cross-rail; a gib arranged between the rear face of therectangular portion of said single solid. guide plate and that portionof the table extending downwardly therebehind said gib being wider atthe top than at the bottom thereof; means for ad justing said gibvertically; and feed mechanism for said table located wholly at one sideof said single solid guide plate.

5. In a shaper, the combination comprising a frame; a cross-rail mountedthereon I30 and having an upper portion'thereof comprising a singlerelatively narrow plate adapted solely to support a work-table and toprevent upward and outward movement thereof, said plate forming anupwardly projecting portion substantially rectangular in cross sectionand an upwardly and inwardly inclined guide surface at its lower edge; awork-table mounted on said cross rail and having a hook portionextending over and engaging the rear of said upwardly projecting portionand a portion extending upwardly behind and en gaging said inclinedguide surface; and feed mechanism, located wholly beneath said plate formoving said table along said cross rail.

6. In a shaper, the combination comprising a cross-rail having at itsupper edge a single guide plate adapted solely to support a worktableand to prevent outward and upward movement thereof, and, at its loweredge, a vertically disposed thrust bearing plate adapted to preventinward movement of a work-table, said guide plate having a portionprojecting upwardly and affording, at its rear, a table bearing surface;an upwardly and inwardlyinclined bearing surface at the lower edge ofsaid guide plate; a work-table mounted on said cross rail; said tablehaving, a lower portion bearing laterally on said thrust bearing plate,an upper portion, in the form of a hook, pro ecting over and downwardlybehind and engaging the upwardly projecting portion of said guide plate,and an intermediate portion extending upwardly behind and in contactwith said inclined bearing surface, the overhanging hook portion of saidtable having an undercut bearing surface inclined toward the lower frontface of the cross-rail; and means located at one side of said singleguide plate to feed said worktable along said cross-rail.

7 In a shaper having a reciprocating toolcarrying ram, the combinationcomprising a cross-rail including a single solid plate adjacent theupper edge thereof, the upper portion of said guide plate providing anupper substantially horizontal bearing surface and a rear substantiallyvertical bearing surface, said bearing surfaces serving wholly tosupport the weight of a work-table and to prevent outward movement ofthe upper portion thereof, said guide plate also afiording, at its loweredge, a bearing surface adapted to prevent upward movement of thework-table and outward movement of the lower portion thereof; awork-table mounted on said plate in engagement with said bearingsurfaces and movable along said rail; and a screw shaft located whollyat one side of said plate for moving the table along the rail.

8. In a shaper having a reciprocating toolcarrying ram and a work-table,the combina tion comprising a cross-rail having at its upper edge asolid undivided guide plate and at its lower edge a thrust bearingplate, said bearing plate for moving the table along the rail.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN.

